MSI NX8800GT-T2D512E-OC
MSI shipped us its wonderfully-named NX8800GT-T2D512E-OC full-retail card. As the name suggests, it's an overclocked part. It runs at 690MHz (core), 1650MHz (shader) and 1900MHz (memory) - up from the default 600/1500/1800. We reckon that most other partners will also ship overclocked models - the 65nm manufacturing process is virtually begging for it.
GeForce 8800 GT occupies the same PCB area as a GeForce 8800 GTS 320, shown directly above it - 229(d) x 106(h) mm - but weighs in at svelte 418g, compared to the ASUS '320's 670g. The single-slot cooler is the obvious difference and, as an added bonus, concurrently cools the 512MiB GDDR3 memory as well.
Lots of screws but nothing much of interest on the back. The 8-series board supports SLI, of course, and you can expect near-double frame rates in games optimised for multi-GPU usage.
Here we see hard evidence of the full-length single-slot cooler. We alluded to maximum power requirements of 105W, and that's why we see the ubiquitous six-pin PCIe connector on the right-hand side.
Both DVI ports (shown with protective covers above) provide dual-link connectivity and both support HDCP at 2,560 x 1,600 without pesky black borders. The mini-DIN port is for video-out only.
Summary
MSI's opted to leverage the new manufacturing process by releasing an overclocked model - the only GeForce 8800 GT 512MiB SKU available in the UK. The SRP on this package will be about £165, including VAT, making it one of the cheaper GeForce 8800 GTs around.
